A stricken swan on a lake near Alsager was saved from being swept down a culvert – thanks to officers from Cheshire Fire and Rescue's water team.

And the RSPCA also stepped in to help guide the worn out swan to calmer waters and place him on to a nearby pond.

The stricken male bird, who was struggling in fast-flowing water, was pulled clear of danger at Lawton Hall Estate by officers from Cheshire Fire and Rescue.

A member of the public alerted the RSPCA after it appeared to have been chased off the estate's lake by some resident swans.

He was distressed and suffering from fatigue when RSPCA Inspector Dawn Burrell arrived at the scene.

The inspector assisted the fire crews with the rescue which took around 90 minutes to rescue the swan on Sunday afternoon.

Dawn said: "He looked as though it had been shooed off the main lake, but he was in difficulty as there was a strong-flowing current flowing.

"I think if the swan had been left much longer he would have been swept away - he was trying to paddle up stream, but was getting sucked back towards the culvert.

"By the time fire officers managed to grab him and I'd put him safely in my swan bag he was shattered - the fire officers were fantastic.

"We often work with the fire service and are always grateful for their help and they use exercises like this as part of their training."

Dawn released the swan onto a small pond nearby.